By Edgar Papke. Among business leaders and students of organizations, there is a great deal of attention being paid to the idea of creating and leading cultures of innovation. In exploring this idea, we soon realize that the concepts surrounding what an innovation culture is, and how to create and lead a culture of innovation, are, in […]
Read MoreGood Business is Good for Design
Interesting twist. Many of us have embraced the phrase “Good Design is Good for Business” for years. Thomas Watson Jr, former IBM Chairman, made this phrase popular after Paul Rand inspired him with “Good Design is Good Will” (Yale University, 1987). Good design is absolutely abundant today. Come to think about it, I really can’t […]
Read MoreDesign Leadership: What’s Next?
I just wrote an interesting post for FastCo Design about the future of design leadership. Read the full article here – Design Leadership: What’s Next? It’s based on interviews I conducted with the heads of design from 3M, Intuit, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Pepsico, Philips and REI. There are seven areas of focus: Remain driven […]
Read MoreDesigning for culture – A process guideline: first, slow down.
By Peter Norlin. Because the focus of our attention—the design of processes (“structures”) that determine human behavior—is a complicated, tricky task, it’s important that we not rush that task. So as we approach the conscious, intentional design of workplace culture, I plan to pause occasionally to offer a guideline that should direct our planning. Based […]
Read MoreMcKinsey on Building a Design-Driven Culture
At last, the folks at McKinsey & Company are learning about and promoting the benefits of building a Design-Driven Culture. After acquiring Lunar Design it seems they are now among the converted, well, better late than never. And McKinsey just published a very basic article endorsing four elements of design-driven cultures, including:1. Really understanding the […]
Read MoreTen tools to help managers think creatively.
By Jeanne Liedtka. I’m a huge proponent of design thinking as an approach to helping managers think creatively. However, the phrase “design thinking” often makes people’s eyes glaze over. Sure – we know we need help to find profitable growth and innovation opportunities in this disruptive world. And we’ve gotten the point that we know […]
Read MoreProblem solving in a VUCA world – what kind of problem are you solving?
By Lisa Solomon. Before launching any new innovation initiative, the most important question to ask is not how much budget is allotted, how many resources can be allocated, or even what the deadline is. Rather, in a world marked by adaptive challenges within an an increasingly VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) context, leaders need […]
Read MoreListening to innovation.
By Edgar Papke. What are the traits of an organization’s or team’s culture that most influence the ability of its people to innovate? What separates leaders of innovation from their competition? All too often, we look to the physical environment for the answers, relying on providing unique workspaces, furnishings, engaging colors, fun play areas, and […]
Read MoreInnovation cultures start with the right people and the right process.
Just about every CEO in America wants to increase their innovation capabilities, but most are still wondering how. Hiring great design and innovation leaders certainly helps, because the connection between design, innovation and corporate culture is powerful indeed. Connecting the right people with the right processes can be key in developing cultures of innovation, lets […]
Read MoreDesigning for culture: a few preliminary thoughts.
By Peter Norlin. As a student of organizations for over 30 years, and as a consultant who helps people co-create “productive workplaces” (the title of a powerful book by Marvin Weisbord), I’ve spent my professional life thinking about how people learn and change, especially at work. In an effort to define and talk about my […]
Read More